Deadline approaches for Arch Coal Teacher Achievement nominations

The upcoming holiday season provides an excellent opportunity to recognize a special Utah teacher in a four-county area with a nomination for an Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award, according to Rick Parkins, general manager of the Dugout Canyon mine.

"During this time of the year, it is always good to remember people who have made a positive contribution to your life or to the lives of your children," said Parkins. "This is an especially good time to thank our classroom teachers, who are challenging and inspiring our youth to become their best.

"By nominating superior teachers for an Arch Coal Teacher Achievement Award, you recognize and honor them," he continued. "Near the close of the school year next spring, five excellent teachers from our area will receive personal $3,500 cash awards from the Arch Coal Foundation. However they need to be nominated to compete for these awards."

Nominated teachers must complete a written application, which is then judged by a blue-ribbon panel of former award recipients. With the Jan. 7, 2013, nomination deadline fast approaching, the earlier teachers are nominated, the more time they will have to complete the application.

Nomination forms are available online at archteacherawards.com, in schools and in partner locations, such as AmericanWest Bank locations, and Market Express, TacoTime and Bookcliff Sales in Price. Other partners include the Utah State Office of Education, Utah Education Association, Utah School Superintendents Association, Carbon County School District, Emery County School District, Sevier County School District, North Sanpete School District, South Sanpete School District, and radio stations KOAL, KARB, KRPX, KMTI, KLGL, KMGR, KSVC and KWUT.

This is the seventh year for the Teacher Achievement Awards in Carbon, Emery, Sanpete and Sevier counties, which surround the Sufco, Dugout Canyon and Skyline mines in Utah operated by Canyon Fuel Company LLC, a subsidiary of Arch Coal, Inc. The Arch Coal Foundation also supports teacher recognition or grants programs in Wyoming, West Virginia and Colorado, as well as a number of other education-related causes.

Arch Coal's Canyon Fuel Company is Utah's largest coal producer, with a workforce of more than 700.